Garachico

Garachico

Discover one of the most beautiful towns in Tenerife with a trip to Garachico. On the north west tip of the island around an hour’s drive from Los Cristianos, you’ll come across this picturesque Canarian town with a fascinating history.

Arriving in Garachico, spend some time exploring the cobbled streets on foot. Go to the main plaza, known as La Libertad, to see the ruins of the 16th century Convent of San Francisco and the clock tower at Santa Ana church. It’s a beautiful setting, so make sure you take your camera and prepare to get snap happy.

As you walk through the town, look out for the old toll gate in Puerta Tierra garden, which was destroyed in 1706 after a volcanic eruption. To find out more about the devastation caused by the volcano, go and visit the museum which has artefacts and first hand accounts of the eruption.

A visit to Garachico isn’t complete without a walk along the coast. Stroll along the promenade and look out for the natural swimming pools created by volcanic rock. You can’t go into the water at high tide, but when the water level’s low you’ll be able to swim with the locals, looking out for tropical fish beneath the surface. For great views of the pools, climb up to San Miguel Castle.

When you get hungry, there are plenty of places to eat in the town, from small cafés to restaurants serving up freshly-caught seafood. If you’re in Garachico during August, you may be lucky enough to see the town come to life as residents celebrate the Fiesta de San Roque.